4 syllables: Ex, ec, u, tive. Stress on ec.
ig-ZEK-yuh-tiv
/ɪˈɡzɛkjətɪv/
Executive is pronounced ig-ZEK-yuh-tiv (/ɪˈɡzɛkjətɪv/). It has four syllables (Ex-ec-u-tive), with the stress on "ec". Executive (noun): a high-ranking person who makes strategic decisions within an organization. The term also describes the function or department responsible for implementing policy and guiding company direction. In usage, it often refers to senior leadership collectively or to an individual in a supervisory role. The word carries formal, businesslike connotations and is frequently paired with titles and corporate jargon.
nounExecutive (noun): a high-ranking person who makes strategic decisions within an organization. The term also describes the function or department responsible for implementing policy and guiding company direction. In usage, it often refers to senior leadership collectively or to an individual in a supervisory role. The word carries formal, businesslike connotations and is frequently paired with titles and corporate jargon.
- Misplacing stress on the first syllable (EX-ec-u-tive) leading to a flat, less authoritative sound. Correct by re-anchoring your jaw and choosing a firm, quick /ˈzɛk/ beat. - The middle vowel in the second syllable can slide toward /æ/ or /ɛ/; keep it clean as /ɛ/ and then move to /jə/ or /jɪ/. - Over-rotated or over-elongated ending /tɪv/ can sound extra crisp or forced; aim for a light, very brief /ɪv/ with minimal air. - The /ɡ/ and /z/ sequence can blur when spoken quickly; clearly stop the /ɡ/ and release into /z/. - Final consonant cluster can leak; keep lips closed enough to maintain the /v/ without voicing loss. Tips: practice the exact IPA segments, then blend into natural phrases with consistent intonation and stress.
"The board appointed a new CEO and an executive committee to oversee the merger."
"As an executive assistant, she schedules meetings and manages confidential information."
"Executives gathered to discuss the quarterly forecast and strategic priorities."
Executive is pronounced with three syllables: /ɪɡˈzɛk.jə.tɪv/. Place primary stress on the second syllable - “ZEK.” Start with a short “ih” sound, then a clear “eg” as in egg, followed by a crisp “zheh-kya” in rapid succession, finishing with a light “tiv” with a voiced “v.” In slow speech, the vowel in the second syllable stays pure, but in natural speech it can be schwa-like in the middle. You’ll hear it as ig-ZEK-yuh-tiv.
Two common errors: first, misplacing the primary stress on the first syllable (EX-e-cu-tive) which sounds like “EX-uh-koo-tiv” and loses emphasis; second, flattening the middle vowel to a quick “eh” without the clear /z/ plus /ɛ/ sequence in /zɛk/. Correction tips: practice the /ɡ z/ cluster by saying ig-ZEK with a crisp z sound and a short /e/ as in “bed.” Keep the final -tive as /tɪv/ with a light, audible v. Practicing with minimal pairs (eg, “executive” vs “exacting”) can help fix stress and vowel quality.
US: /ɪɡˈzɛk.jə.tɪv/ with r-less non-rhotic middle syllable and a sharper /z/ onset in -zɛk-. UK: similar overall, but the middle vowel can be slightly narrower and the /v/ at the end may be more forceful in some dialects. AU: often a broader vowel quality in /ɪ/ and a slightly more clipped final /tɪv/, with less vowel reduction in connected speech. Across all, the primary stress remains on the second syllable; non-rhoticity mainly affects the ending if followed by a vowel.
The difficulty stems from the multi-syllabic, stressed second syllable with the /z/ cluster followed by a unstressed /jə/ sequence and the trailing /tɪv/. Coordinating the short /ɪ/ in the first syllable with the stressed /zɛk/ and the light, nearly reduced /jə/ before the final /tɪv/ challenges the tongue’s timing and lip rounding. Additionally, the /gz/ sequence in /ɡˈzɛk/ requires precise tongue contact to avoid a blur between /ɡ/ and /z/. Proper practice with marked IPA helps anchor the articulations.
In careful speech, the middle syllable can be /jə/ with a short, neutral /ə/ (schwa) sound, but in careful, careful/slow speech you may hear /jɛ/ or /jə/ depending on the speaker. The most consistent feature is the primary stress on /ˈzɛk/ and the final /ɪv/. In fast speech, the /ə/ often becomes a lighter, very quick schwa, so you’ll hear ig-ZEK-yə-tiv rather than ig-ZEK-ye-tiv. Practicing both forms can help you switch smoothly in different registers.
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- US: emphasize the /ɡˈzɛk/ cluster; tense lips slightly for /z/ and keep /ɪ/ in final vowel light. - UK: maintain non-rhotic tendencies in connected speech; the middle vowel tends to be slightly more closed; /v/ at end is clear but not overemphasized. - AU: softer final /v/ with less dramatic vowel height; more elongated vowels in the first and second syllables; keep the /ɡ/ and /z/ crisp but not explosive. Reference IPA forms: US /ɪɡˈzɛk.jə.tɪv/, UK /ɪɡˈzɛk.jə.tɪv/, AU /ɪɡˈzɛk.jə.tɪv/. - General: keep primary stress on the second syllable in all accents, and ensure the hissing /z/ is audible but not harsh.
Executive comes from the Old French executive, from late Latin excutere “to cut out, to take out, to kill,” though the economic sense evolved through the sense of “carrying out” a plan or policy. The root excutere combines ex- (out) with a hypothetical cudere (to cut or strike), but the modern business sense emerges in the 17th–18th centuries as a term for those who execute or carry out tasks and policies. In English, the noun form
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Executive" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Executive" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Executive"
-ive sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
